Cainta Mayor Ramon “Mon” Ilagan recently bagged the highly prestigious 2007 CEO Excel Award handed out by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).
The recognition honors the country’s top chief executives in various fields who have effectively used the tools of communications to achieve their business goals.
IABC a 16,000-member strong organization composed of the world’s brightest advertising, PR and communications professionals and strategists.
Ilagan topped the race among LGU executives nationwide who vied for the honor and was elected as the only winner in the LGU category for his expert use of communications in realizing his growth objectives for the municipality of Cainta.
Ilagan won in a competition that was described as among the most hotly contested years in the award-giving body’s history, where only 10 made it to the winners’ circle.
Ilagan was credited for his highly successful campaigns in increasing local tax collection and in bringing public service closer to the people through “Serbisyo MI.”
This is the fourth time that the award was handed to a local government official and the first time to a head of a municipality.
Past winners of the CEO Excel Award in the LGU category were Quezon City Mayor Feliciano “Sony” Belmonte Jr., Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.
Thanking the IABC, Ilagan said the main objective of communication is sharing your message to people so as to empower them to make the right and crucial decisions for their lives. Communications must draw out inspiration. It should make people believe and take positive action, he said.